Safety means for liquid dispensing nozzles



P 15, 1964 v H. B. JONES, JR 3,148,713

SAF ETY MEANS' FOR LIQUID DISPENSING NOZZLES Filed Feb. 20', 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 1 7 -INVENTOR l8 Howlcnd B J es, Jr.

ATTORNE Sept. 15, 1964 H. B; JONES, JR 3,148,713 SAFETY MEANS FOR LIQUIDDISPENSING NOZZLES Filed Feb. 20, 1962 3 SheetsSheet 2 INIVENTOR HOWLANDa JONESJK g 4 .L/ A

ATTORNEYS P 15, 1964 'H. B. JONES, JR 3,148,713

SAFETY MEANS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING NOZZLES Filied Feb. 20, 1962 aSheets-Sheet a FIG. 9

INVENTOR HOWLAN) B. JONEQJ:

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Filed Feb. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 176,854 8Claims. (Cl. 141-346) This invention relates to safety means forpreventing inadvertent discharge from a liquid dispensing nozzle and,more particularly, to automatic valve means associated with such anozzle to allow liquid to be dispensed therefrom only when the nozzle isproperly inserted in its intended opening. This is a continuationin-partof my copending application Serial Number 123,- 547, filed July 12,1961, entitled Safety Means for Liquid Dispensing Nozzles, nowabandoned.

Though there are various beneficial uses for this new development ofsafety means for liquid discharging devices, it is particularlycontemplated for use in gasoline dispensing apparatus. Such apparatustypically comprises a pumping unit into which gasoline is drawn from atank and from which it is delivered through a flexible hose and out anozzle at the end of the hose. The nozzle ordinarily includes a manuallyoperated valve assembly and a spout which can be inserted into theopenended fill-pipe of a fuel tank. In practice, the nozzle is usuallygrounded electrically to prevent dangerous sparking from static or otherelectric charges.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide safety meansfor such gasoline dispensing apparatus which will prevent inadvertentdischarge of gasoline from the nozzle when the spout of the nozzle isnot properly inserted in a fill-pipe. It sometimes happens that personsusing the apparatus will unintentionally actuate the manual valve at thenozzle before placing the nozzle in the fill-pipe, thereby causinggasoline to spray over the surrounding area and create a fire hazard.

'This is particularly likely when inexperienced persons operate theapparatus, as in self-service gasoline stations.

Broadly stated, the new safety means is to be incorporated in apparatusfor selectively dispensing liquid into an opening through a nozzleadapted to be inserted in said opening. The safety means comprises avalve for controlling liquid flow through said nozzle, and electricallyactivated actuating means for opening the valve solely when the nozzleis inserted in the opening. More particularly, the invention providesimprovements in apparatus for selectively dispensing liquid from asource through a hose, out of a nozzle at the hose end, and thence intoan open-ended fill-pipe into which the nozzle can be inserted. Theimprovement lies in safety means which comprises an electricallyoperated valve for controlling liquid flow through the nozzle. In oneinstance a magnetic switch is provided for opening and closing the valveand the switch is mounted on the portion of the nozzle adapted to beinserted into the fill-pipe. A magnet is mounted inside the fill-pipeopening for actuating the switch to open the valve when the nozzle isinserted in the fill-pipe and the switch is positioned adjacent themagnet.

In another instance, I have found that the capacitance to groundnormally present on a fill-pipe of an automobile and the like issufficiently larger than that of the human body so that it can beutilized as the switch to actuate dispensing nozzles. Therefore,according to the invention apparatus is also provided which will utilizethe capacitance of a vehicle and thereby eliminate magnetic switchdevices. The safety means of this embodiment, also broadly stated, iscomprised of a valve for controlling liquid flow through said nozzle andelectrically activated actuating means sensitive to the capacitance ofthe receptacle for opening the valve solely when the nozzle is insertedinto the receptacle. More particularly, the safety means also includes aspout on the nozzle for insertion into a fill-pipe and at least onecontact means electrically insulated from said spout and positionedin aportion of the spout remote from the outlet end of the spout such thatit contacts the fill-pipe to sense the capacitance thereof solely whenthe spout is inserted in the receptacle. 7

By constructions, such as these, it is impossible for a liquid such asgasoline to flow out of the nozzle, even if a manual valve on the nozzleis open, unless the means on the nozzle is actuated to open the safetyvalve. For all practical purposes, the valve means cannot be so actuateduntil the nozzle is inserted in the fill-pipe in proper position.Therefore, the danger of discharging liquid prior to insertion of thenozzle into the fill-pipe is eliminated, even though totallyinexperienced person may be using the apparatus.

The improvement is adaptable, of course, to many uses other thangasoline dispensing apparatus. Indeed, it may be employed to advantagewherever a liquid or other flowable material is to be discharged out ofa movable spout into various selected openings. Also, it may be the solevalving means in a nozzle, thereby rendering it unnecessary to rely upona manual valve of the sort included in the usual gasoline nozzle. Inthat case, liquid discharges automatically from the nozzle as soon as itis properly inserted into a fill-pipe equipped with actuating means foropening the automatic valve.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below withreference to the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is an elevationpartly in section of a nozzle inserted in a fill-pipe and equipped withthe improvement of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the electric circuit for the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation partly in section of themagnetic switch mounted on the nozzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section of the switch of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a magnetsupporting element tobe positioned inside the fill-pipe opening of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an elevation partly in section of a second embodiment of thenozzle inserted in a fill-pipe;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the FIG. 6 nozzle andactuating means in relation to the fill-pipe;

FIG. 8 is a section taken substantially along lines 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the electrical circuit for the FIG. 6 embodimentof the apparatus.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a gasoline dispensing nozzle 10 includes twobasis components, namely a valve housing 11 and a spout 12. The spout 12is the portion of the nozzle adapted to be inserted into a fill-pipe.Gasoline-is adapted to flow under pressure from a pump through aflexible hose 13 to the nozzle 10 at the end of the hose, and thence outof the spout 12 thereof. Within the valve housing 11 is conventionalmanually operated valve means controlled by a manual trigger 14 toregulate discharge of the gasoline.

In ordinary use, the spout 12 of the nozzle 10 is inserted into afill-pipe 15 leading to the fuel tank of an automobile, boat, etc. Theopen end of the fill-pipe 15 is typically defined by an inwardlyextending flange 16 adapted to receive a bayonet-type fastener or thelike of a closure cap. To avoid sparking from static electricity, theentire nozzle 10 including its spout 12 is grounded electrically bymeans of a conductor (not shown) ernbedded in the wall of the hose 13and leading back to the 44 and the magnetizable' elements 37 and 38return to their normal position to break the circuit and close the valve23. Hence, the gasoline stops flowing from the spout 12 even though themanual trigger 14 may still be displaced.

In FIGS. 69, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. Referringinitially to FIG. 6 a gasoline dispensing nozzle 55 consists essentiallyof a housing 56 and spout 57 with the gasoline adapted to flow through ahose 58 and regulated by a manual trigger 59. The nozzle 55 is showninserted into an ordinary fill-pipe 60 having a flange 61 as describedabove. In this embodiment, however, as shown in FIG. 7 the spout 57 ispreferably formed from a plastic material. The purpose of the plasticmaterial is to provide a spout which is electrically nonconductive, andthus any suitable dielectric materials could be substituted for theplastic in the spout, or alternatively, the outer portion of the spoutcould be suitably insulated. If necessary, for elimination of the hazarddue to static electricity a plastic of a partially conducting naturecould be employed, providing its resistance was large compared to theresistance of a relay coil 84 in the metering circuit such as will bedescribed in relation to FIG. 9.

As was the case with the first embodiment, the apparatus of the secondembodiment is provided to prevent discharge of the gasoline out of thespout 57 even when the trigger 14 is actuated, unless the spout isproperly inserted into the fill-pipe 60 substantially as shown. In somecircumstances it may be desirable to eliminate the trigger entirely.

As noted previously, the present invention recognizes and utilizes thefact that the capacitance to ground of a vehicle such as an automobile,truck, or boat is large with respect to that of a man or a small liquidcontainer. In order to sense this capacitance charge, a recess 62 isprovided in the spout 12 remote from the outlet end thereof and acontact member 63 is positioned within the recess as shown in FIG. 7.The contact member 63 seats in the recess 62 such that in the normalfilling position of the nozzle 55 relative to the fill-pipe 60, thecontact member 63 comes into engagement with a flange 61 of thefill-pipe. As shown in FIG. 8 the normal position of the spout 57 withinthe fill-pipe 60 is suificient so that the more weight or" the nozzlecauses the contact member 63 to engage and substantially seat on flangeportion 61 of the fill-pipe. The contact surface of the contact member63 is preferably formed so that it substantially matches the surface ofthe flange portion 61 into which it will come in contact. This insures aflush abutment between the two members. Shown in this embodiment aconductor 64 is disposed within the wall of the spout 12 as indicated inFIG. 6 and extends upwardly through the nozzle to the circuitry to bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

Although it is contemplated that the simple contact member describedabove should be sufficient to provide adequate capacitance sensing meanson the spout 57, it is also recognized that in certain situations it maybe desirable to provide capacitance sensing means which consists of morethan one contact. For example, it may be desirable to provide anadditional contact member at the upper outlet end substantially at anedge 65 of the spout 57 where the spout ordinarily abuts the fill-pipe60.

By providing two contact members in the positions described and suitablyconnecting them to the circuitry, there is further assurance that thenozzle would only function when inserted properly into a fill-pipe. Ithas also been proposed that rather than provide a single contact memberwithin the recess 62 an actuating plate could be provided to overlie thecontact member in the groove and be resiliently mounted therein andarranged at such an angle that the actuating plate could only bedepressed if the nozzle were properly positioned within the fill-pipe.Unless the nozzle was properly positioned in the fill-pipe, theactuating member would not be displaced toward the contact member and itwould be impossible to make electrical contact with the contact member.Another variation which may be made is to incorporate two contactassemblies such as just described, namely, wherein the actuating plateis resiliently mounted over contact member in the groove. It has beensuggested to position both contact assemblies within a groove such asdescribed and to space them circumferentially about the spout 57approximately 60 apart. It would only be necessary for one such contactmember to be sensitive to the capacitance of the fill-pipe, but byconnecting the actuating elements of each of the assemblies by linkingmeans, such as with a rocker arm, it would be impossible to depresseither of the actuating elements until they are both properly positionedrelative to the fill-pipe. All these alternative embodiments describedare introduced to show that it is not necessary to use only one contactmember in the apparatus of the invention, for if it should be foundnecessary to incorporate a different contact member for reasons ofsafety or to prevent theft, it is within the scope of the presentinvention to do so.

Substantially surrounding the portion of the spout 57 in which therecess 62 is formed and spaced therefrom is a hood 67 with a flamearrestor grid 68 extending across the bottom 69 thereof, substantiallyas described in the first embodiment.

It is noted that in FIGS. 7 and 8 a tubular member 66 is shown extendinglongitudinally Within the spout 57 and into the housing 56. This tubularmember is conven- -tional in many gasoline nozzles and serves to providemeans for sensing when the tank has been filled to capacity. It is ofcourse contemplated that other such devices may be similarlyincorporated in the apparatus of the invention.

One example of circuitry which can be used in this embodiment to actuatea valve in response to the capacitance of an automobile is shown in FIG.9. The circuit shown can be divided into four essential branches,namely, a power supply A, a pulsing circuit B, a metering circuit C, anda valve-actuating circuit D.

The power supply A is connected to a source of alternating current whichis fed through a transformer 70. Connected to the transformer at theoutput thereof is a double diode full-wave rectifier 71. The rectifier71 serves to convert the alternating current to direct current. Thedirect current is immediately fed through a two-stage resistor-capacitorfilter 72 which is connected at the output of the rectifier and acts asa smoothing filter. The rectified current is then fed to a voltageregulating tube 73 which maintains the output of the power supply A at aconstant voltage and thus a constant voltage is continuously fed to thepulsing circuit B.

The pulsing circuit B consists of a conventional cathode coupledmultivibrator 74 which generates rectangular pulses at a frequencydetermined by the variable resistor 75 and the constant resistor 76 incombination with a capacitor 77. The variable resistor and capacitor areconnected to the input of the plate of one of the triodes 78 of themultivibra'tor and to the grid of the othertriode 79 of themultivibrator. Also connected to the grid of the second triode 79 is adiode 80 which serves to prevent the grid from going continuallypositive with respect to the lower end 81a of cathode resistor 81. Thecathode resistor 81 is connected to the output of the cathodes of eachof the triodes 78 and 79 of the multivibrator. The output from themultivibrator is a rectangular pulse having a fixed predeterminedfrequency and a constant amplitude and this is fed to the meteringcircuit C.

The metering circuit C consists of a diode 82 which is connected inparallel with a variable resistor 83 and a relay 84 which is shunted bya capacitor 85. The circuit is connected to a resistor 86 and then toground so that a static discharge path to ground is provided in order tomeet safety requirements. The automobile capacitor Ca is added-betweenthe terminal 87 and ground. A blocking capacitor 88 is provided betweenthe terminal 87 and the remainder of the metering circuit to preventdamage to the circuit components should a direct short circuit toapplied to the relay coil 84 is inversely proportional to the reactanceof the automobile capacitance Ca connected between terminal 87 andground. This in turn is proportional in a roughly linear degree to thecapacitance value, Ca. To permit the relay S lto react only when thecorrect range of values of Ca is added to the circuit, the diode 82 andcapacitor d serve together to rectifythe pulses originally generatedacross resistorgil, and applied to the relay coil 84 through capacitanceCa. This circuit arrangement causes a direct current to flow in coil 84as a result of rectification of the pulses, and its value is inverselyproportional to the attenuation caused by the automobile capacitance, Caconnected at terminal 87.

An additional safety feature can be provided to prevent operation of therelay should the capacitance Ca exceed a predetermined value, by meansof special featuresof the relay 84 or by means of the provision of asecond relay 96 in series with the variable resistor 83 provided toadjust this upper limit. The normally closed contacts 97 of this relayare in series with those of relay 34 and it is evident that discharge ofliquid can take place only 7 when. relay 84 is actuated and relay 96 isnot.

The actuating circuit D receives its power from the transformer 91 andconsists essentially of a relay 92 which is activated Whenthe contacts90 are closed and similarly closes switch 93 which activates a solenoid941. The solenoid 94 in turn opens the valve to dispense gasolinethrough the nozzle. 7

in operation the nozzle 55 is inserted into the fill-pipe '64) such thatthe contact member 63 which is disposed within the recess 62 on thespout 57 will seat against the flange portion 61 of the fill-pipe.Contact member 63 senses the capacitance of the fill-pipe 60 which hasconsistently been found to be of 'a ratio of approximately ten timesgreater than the capacitance of a man. This charge is sensed by thecontact member 63 and is fed into the capacitance controlled circuitthrough the conductor 64 to the terminal 37 as shown in FlG. 9. Asdescribed previously the added capacitance introduced into the circuitwill, if of a certain predetermined range of values, cause anelectrically operated valve located upstream from the nozzle to beopened, and thus, permit gasoline to be discharged through the nozzle.It is evident that the apparatus of the second embodiment eliminates theneed to install additional elements in the automobile itself.Nevertheless, the apparatus still maintains high degree of safety sinceit can only be operated when properly inserted into the fill-pipe andthe electrical apparatus necessary for controlling the electricallyoperated valve can be suitably shielded and positioned remote from theimmediate area of the source of gasoline.

Both of the foregoing embodiments of my invention are electricallyactivated, rather than mechanically actuated, safety means forpermitting liquid flow through a nozzle solely when the spout of thenozzle is inserted into its proper'receptacle. The invention describedherein makes it possible to achieve thoroughly safe electricalactivation of circuitry in a nozzle which dispenses inflammable fluids Vby relying entirely upon extremely low-current power sources, thusinsuring that no sparking or the like will occur which might ignite thefluid. The new electrically activated means constitutes a substantialimprovement over any, mechanically actuated valve which might bedesigned to open when thenozzle spout is inserted in the receptaclebecause such mechanical devices are inherently more susceptible tounintended opening of the valve by one who might inadvertently depressthe mechanical actuator. With the electrical means constructed inaccordance with this invention, any such accidental opening of the valveis virtually impossible l'clairn: 1. ln apparatus for selectivelydispensing liquid into an opening ina receptacle through a nozzleadapted to be inserted in'said opening, safety means comprising a valvefor controlling liquid flow through said nozzle, and electricallyactivated actuating means responsive to electrical capacitance of saidreceptacle for opening said valve solely when said nozzle is insertedinto said receptacle. 7

2. In apparatus for selectively dispensing liquid into an opening in areceptacle through a nozzle'adapted to be inserted in said opening,safety means comprising a valve for controlling'liquid flow throughsaidnozzle, electrically activated valve operating means for opening andclosing said valve responsive to electrical capacitance of saidreceptacle, and receptacle contact means positioned on said nozzle suchthat it contacts said receptacle to. sense the electrical capacitancethereof solely when said nozzle is inserted in said receptacle.

3. In apparatus for selectively dispensing liquid from a source througha hose and thence into an open-ended fill-pipe, safety means comprisinga spout on said nozzle for insertion into said fill-pipe, anelectrically operated valve for controlling liquid flow through saidnozzle, at'

least one fill-pipe contact means electrically insulated from said spoutand positioned in a portion of said spout remote from the outlet end ofthe spout such that it contacts said fill-pipe to sense the electricalcapacitance thereof solely when said spout is inserted in saidreceptacle. j

4. In apparatus for selectively dispensing liquid from a source througha hose and thence into an open-ended fill-pipe, safety means comprisingan electrically insulated spout on said nozzle for insertion into saidfill-pipe, an electrically operated valve for controlling liquid flowthrough said nozzle, a recess formed in said spout in a portion of saidspout remote from the outlet end thereof, fill-pipe contaotrneanspositioned in said recess such that it contacts said fill-pipe to sensethe capacitance thereof solely when said spout is inserted in saidfill-pipe, and an electrical capacitance control operatively connectedto said contact means and said valve for opening the valve responsive tothe electrical capacitance sensed by said contact means. 7

5. In apparatus for selectively dispensing liquid from a source througha hose and thence into an open-ended fill-pipe, safety means comprisingan electrically insulated spout on said nozzle for insertion into saidfill-pipe, an electrically operated automatic valve upstream from saidhose for controlling liquid flow to said nozzle, a recess formed in saidspout in a portion of said spout remote from the outlet end thereof,fill-pipe contact means positioned in'said recess such that it contactssaid fill-pipe to sense electrical capacitance thereof solely when saidspout is inserted in said fill-pipe, an electrically insulatedprotective hood assembly substantially surrounding but spaced from theportion of the spout remote from the outlet end thereof substantiallywherein the recess is formed, and an electricalcapacitance controloperatively connected to said contact means and said valve foropeningthe valve responsive to the electrical capacitance sensed by saidcontact means.

6. In apparatus'for selectively dispensing liquid from a source througha hose and out of a nozzle which intrically operated automatic valveupstream from said hose' for controlling liquid flow to. said nozzle, amagnetic switch for opening and closing said automatic valve mounted onthe outside of said nozzle remote from the nozzle end but on a portionof the nozzle adapted to be inserted into said fill-pipe, a protectivecover over said switch, a substantially C-shaped resilient membermounted permanently closely inside the fill-pipe opening, and a magneton said Cshaped member for actuating said switch to open said automaticvalve when said nozzle is inserted in the fill-pipe and the switch ispositioned adjacent said magnet.

7. In apparatus for selectively dispensing gasoline from a sourcethrough a hose and out of an electrically grounded nozzle which includesa manual flow-controlling valve at the hose end and thence into anopen-ended fill-pipe into which the nozzle can be inserted, safety meanscomprising an electrically operated automatic valve upstream from saidhose for controlling flow to said nozzle, a magnetic switch grounded atone terminal to said nozzle and mounted on the outside of said nozzleremote from the nozzle end but on a portion of the nozzle adapted to beinserted into said fill-pipe, a protective cover over said switchterminal and adapted to open said automatic valve when the switch isclosed, a substantially C-shaped resilient member mounted permanentlyclosely inside the fill-pipe opening, a magnet on said C-shaped memberfor closing said switch when said nozzle is inserted in the fill-pipeand the switch is positioned adjacent the magnet, and protective hoodmeans on said nozzle adapted substantially to cover the open-endedfill-pipe when the nozzle is inserted therein at all times when saidswitch is closed.

8. In apparatus for selectively dispensing liquid into a receptacleopening at least partly defined by electrically conductive materialthrough a movable nozzle adapted to be manually inserted into saidopening, safety means for preventing inadvertent flow of said liquidfrom said nozzle when said nozzle is removed from said openingcomprising a valve separate from said receptacle for controlling liquidfiow through said nozzle, electrically activated valve actuating meansseparate from said receptacle for opening and closing said valve, andelectrically conductive circuit means on said nozzle engageable withsaid conductive material at said receptacle opening for transmittingelectrical current from said conductive material to said circuit meansto activate said actuating means and open said valve solely when saidnozzle is inserted in said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,149,256 Godfrey Aug. 10, 1915 1,284,310 Gilbert Nov. 12, 19182,877,313 Stoicos Mar. 10, 1959 2,918,095 Shawhan Dec. 22, 19593,011,036 La Rocca Nov. 28, 1961

8. IN APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY DISPENSING LIQUID INTO A RECEPTACLEOPENING AT LEAST PARTLY DEFINED BY ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIALTHROUGH A MOVABLE NOZZLE ADAPTED TO BE MANUALLY INSERTED INTO SAIDOPENING, SAFETY MEANS FOR PREVENTING INADVERTENT FLOW OF SAID LIQUIDFROM SAID NOZZLE WHEN SAID NOZZLE IS REMOVED FROM SAID OPENINGCOMPRISING A VALVE SEPARATE FROM SAID RECEPTACLE FOR CONTROLLING LIQUIDFLOW THROUGH SAID NOZZLE, ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED VALVE ACTUATING MEANSSEPARATE FROM SAID RECEPTACLE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID VALVE, ANDELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE CIRCUIT MEANS ON SAID NOZZLE ENGAGEABLE WITHSAID CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL AT SAID RECEPTACLE OPENING FOR TRANSMITTINGELECTRICAL CURRENT FROM SAID CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL TO SAID CIRCUIT MEANSTO ACTIVATE SAID ACTUATING MEANS AND OPEN SAID VALVE SOLELY WHEN SAIDNOZZLE IS INSERTED IN SAID OPENING.